Norway: amid shouts, sirens and helicopters, witnesses to the bow and arrow attack tell of the horror they felt

Witnesses to the bow and arrow attack that left five dead in the southeast of the peaceful Norway they told this Thursday the horror they lived. “I thought this was Kabul,” one of them mentioned.

Kongsberg, a mountainous town where generally not much happens, was plunged into tragedy on Wednesday when, for more than half an hour, a man armed with a bow wandered its streets lined with charming wooden houses, shooting deadly arrows at right and left.

The suspect, who took the lives of five people and injured two others, was arrested. He is a 37-year-old Danish resident of that city of about 25,000 inhabitants who, according to the police, had been suspected of radicalization. Still, the motive for the crime remains unclear.

The attack appears to be “a terrorist act,” security services said.

Thomas Nilsen was at home when he heard screams and his mind filled with images of war.

“I thought this was Kabul,” he told AFP.

The tragedy took place at various points in the city, including a supermarket, in front of which a policeman stood guard on Thursday. Elsewhere, the police presence was minimal.

The victims are four women and one man, aged between 50 and 70, but the police have not yet identified them. Several candles have been placed in front of the local church.

“I heard screaming children, barking and helicopter noises circling my house,” said Terje Kristiansen, another witness. “I haven’t slept much tonight,” he added.

This Thursday he had to go shopping, and he went to a store located at the other end of the city. “I was looking over my shoulder a bit,” he admitted.

It was at the local supermarket that the suspect injured one of the two people, a police officer who was not on duty. According to the authorities, he is out of danger.

– “Not to mention leaving” the house –

Knut Olav, in his 50s, was going to smoke a cigarette at the door of his house when he witnessed a scene until then unimaginable.

“I saw one of my friends taking refuge behind a car and all of a sudden I heard something like a click. I have been an archer and I recognized the noise of the bow and the impact of an arrow against the road ”, said the man.

“Later, I saw a man pulling a child out of a car and running towards my house,” he added.

As if it were a western movie, the alleged perpetrator, before being arrested, shot arrows at the policemen, who responded with warning shots. When questioned at night, the suspect acknowledged the facts.

This Thursday he had to undergo psychiatric examinations and, on Friday, he will appear before a judge in the face of his provisional arrest.

Svein Westad was making dinner when he heard the commotion, screaming and a gunshot, probably the one fired by the police. The window was open.

“I continued cooking. Not to mention going out, “he said.

The noise was followed by the noise of ambulance sirens and police cars.

Westad knew one of the victims.

“I’m not the type to take out your phone to take pictures in these situations,” he explained. “I called the police and they told me to stay home. All the more reason not to go out ”.